SAJC 2020 JC1 H2 Mathematics

Chapter 3: Arithmetic and Geometric Progression

Objectives:
At the end of the chapter, students should be able to
(a) recognise arithmetic progression (A.P) and geometric progression (G.P);
(b) apply the formula for finding the nth term and the sum of a finite arithmetic series;
(c) apply the formula for finding the nth term and the sum of a finite geometric series;
(d) state the condition for convergence of an infinite geometric series;
(e) apply the formula for evaluating the sum to infinity of a convergent geometric series;
(f) solve practical problems involving arithmetic or geometric series, or both.

Pre-requisite Knowledge: Basic Algebra

CONTENTS

1 Arithmetic progression
1.1 The nth term of an Arithmetic Progression
1.2 The sum of the first n terms of an Arithmetic Progression
1.3 Proving that a sequence is an Arithmetic Progression

2 Geometric Progression
2.1 The nth term of a Geometric progression
2.2 The sum of the first n terms of a Geometric Progression
2.3 Proving that a sequence is a Geometric Progression
2.4 The sum to infinity of a Geometric Progression

3 Arithmetic and Geometric Progressions in  notation

4 Miscellaneous Examples

5 Self-Reading Examples

6 Checklist

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Introduction
In Chapter 2, we have learnt about sequences and series in general. In this Learning points 
chapter, we will be examining the properties of two special types of sequences,
namely the Arithmetic Progression and the Geometric Progression.

1 Arithmetic Progression

An Arithmetic Progression (A.P.) is a sequence in which the difference

between every two consecutive terms is a constant. i.e. un  un 1  d . The
constant d is known as the common difference.

Examples of AP

(i) (3, 6, 9, 12, 15, …) is an A.P. with first term 3 and common difference,
d 3

2 1 1
(ii) ( 1, , , 0,  ,... ) is an A.P. with first term 1 and common difference,
3 3 3
1
d 
3

1.1 Finding the nth term of an Arithmetic Progression

If an A.P. has first term a, and the common difference d, then the nth term un
is derived as
u1  a
u2  u1  d  a  d
u3  u2  d  a  2 d
u4  u3  d  a  3d

Hence,
un  a   n  1 d

The nth term of an A.P with first term a and common difference d, un , is given
by
un  a   n  1 d where d  0

Note: If a, b, c are 3 consecutive terms in an A.P., then b  a  c  b

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Drill & Practice 1: Finding the nth term of an Arithmetic Learning points 
Progression

Arithmetic First Term Common Formula for un

Progression Difference
1, 3, 5, 7, 9, …
30, 22, 14, 6, …
1 11 21
,3, ,8, ,...
2 2 2

Example 1
Given that the third and fifth terms of an arithmetic progression are 34 and 20
respectively, find the first term a and the common difference d.

Solution
u3  a  2d  34 -----(1); Note:
u5  a  4d  20 -----(2) It is possible to use GC
to solve simultaneous
Solving (1) & (2) simultaneously, a  48 and d  7 equations

1.2 The sum of the first n terms of an Arithmetic Progression

Learning Experience: Video of Gauss computing 1+2+…+100.

What did you learn from the video?

The terms of an A.P. can be added up to form an Arithmetic Series.

Consider the A.P. with first term a, common difference d and last term 
Using a similar argument to the method Gauss used, we can derive the sum of
the first n terms of an A.P. as denoted by Sn :

n n
Sn   2a  (n  1) d  or Sn  al 
2 2
Note that  = un in Sn .

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Proof: Learning points 

Let Sn  u1  u2  u3   un
S n  a  (a  d )  (a  2 d )  ......  [ a  (n 1) d ]
also Sn  [a  (n  1) d ]  [ a  (n  2) d ]  [ a  ( n  3) d ]  ......  a

Adding the above two equations we obtain

2S n  n { 2a  ( n  1) d }
n
 S n   2a   n  1 d  (Shown)
2
n
S n   2a   n  1 d 
2
n
  a  a   n  1 d 
2
n
  a    Since   un  a   n  1 d
2

Example 2
Find the sum of the first 20 terms of the arithmetic progression (5, 8, 11, 14, 17,
20, 23,…)
Solution:
First term, a  5,
Common difference, d  3,
No. of terms, n  20
20
S 20   2(5)  19  3    670
2 

Drill & Practice 2: Finding sum of first n term of an Arithmetic

Progression

Arithmetic First Common

Progression Term Difference
1, 3, 5, 7, 9, … S 10 

30, 22, 14, 6, … S 18 

1 11 21 S 20 
,3, ,8, ,...
2 2 2

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Example 3
If the sum of the first 7 terms of an arithmetic progression is 28 and the sum of Learning points 
the first 15 terms is 90, find the sum of the first n terms, in terms of n.
Solution:
Let a be the first term and d be the common difference of the arithmetic
progression.

1.3 Proving that a sequence is an A.P.

To prove that a sequence is an A.P., show that un  un 1 or un 1  un is a

constant independent of n.

Notes:
1. If un  un 1 or un 1  un is a constant, then the constant is the common
difference, d, of the A.P.

2. It is NOT sufficient to prove a sequence is an A.P. by showing that the

first few terms of the sequence form an A.P as we must check that the
relationship holds for all terms in the sequence.

Example 4
1
The sum, S n , of the first n terms of a sequence is given by S n =
n (17  n ) .
10
Find an expression for the nth term of the sequence and hence prove that the
sequence is an arithmetic progression.

Solution
1
Given that Sn  n (17  n ) , then Recall: un  Sn  Sn1
10
for any sequence.

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Learning points 

Drill & Practice 3: Proving/checking whether a sequence is an

A.P.

General term un un  un 1 A.P.?

1. 1 1 Yes
un  (n  8)
5 5
2. un  3n2  n  4
3. un  4n3  6n 2  2n  1
4. un  3  4n

2 Geometric Progression
A Geometric Progression (G.P.) is a sequence in which the ratio of any two
u
consecutive terms is a constant, i.e. n  r . The constant r is known as the
un 1
common ratio.

Examples of G.P

(i) (3, 6, 12, 24, 48, …) is an G.P. with first term 3 and common ratio, r  2
(ii) ( 1, 2, 4, 8,16,... ) is an G.P. with first term 1 and common ratio, r  2

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1 1 1 1
(iii) ( 1, , , ,... ) is an G.P. with first term 1 and common ratio, r 
3 9 27 3
2.1 Finding the nth term of a Geometric Progression Learning points 
In general, if a G.P. has first term a, and common ratio r, then the nth term un is
derived as
u1  a
u 2  r u1   a r
u 3  r u 2  ar 2
u4  r u  
3
ar 3

H e n c e , u n  a r n 1

The nth term of an G.P with first term a and common ratio r, un , is given by
un  ar n1 , r  0,1

b c
Note: If a, b, c are 3 consecutive terms in an G.P., then  .
a b
Example 5
Find the 8th term of the geometric progression (3, 6 , 12,  24 , …).

Solution
First term, a  3,
Common ratio, r  2,
No. of terms, n  8

u8  3(2)7  384

2.2 The sum of the first n terms of a Geometric Progression

The terms in a G.P. can be added to form a geometric series.
Consider the sum of the first n terms of a G.P. whose first term is a and common
ratio r.

The sum of the first n terms of G.P. denoted by Sn is given by:

a (1  r n ) a (r n  1) What happens when

Sn   where r  0,1 r = 1?
1 r r 1

a 1  r n  a  r n  1
Note: We usually use when r  1, and when r  1.
1 r r 1
Proof:
S n  a  ar  ar 2  ...  ar n 2  ar n 1 ---(1)
(1)  r : rS n  ar  ar 2  ar 3  ...  ar n 1  ar n ---(2)
(1) ─ (2) : S n  rS n  a  ar n
S n (1  r )  a (1  r n )

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a(1  r n ) 1 a(r n  1)
 Sn    (shown)
1 r 1 r 1
Example 6 Learning points 
Find the sum of the geometric progression
(a) (8,  4 , 2, …) to n terms
(b) (24, 32, 42 2 3 , …) to 15 terms

Solution
(a) First term, a  8,
4 1
Common ratio, r   ,
8 2
8 1  (  12 ) n  16
Sn   1
 1  (  12 ) n 
1  ( 2 ) 3

(b)

Drill & Practice 4: Finding un and Sn of a Geometric

Progression

Geometric First Common Formula for un Sn

Progression Term Ratio
4,8,16,32,... 4 2 4  2
n1
4(28  1)
S8   1020
2 1
1 1 S6 
9,3,1, , ...
3 9

1 S7 
, 1,5, 25,125,...
5

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2.3 Proving that a sequence is a G.P.

Learning points 
un u
To prove that a sequence is a G.P., show that or n 1 is a constant
u n 1 un
independent of n.

Notes:
un u
1. If or n 1 is a constant, then the constant is the common ratio, r, of
u n 1 un
the G.P.

2. Similar to AP, it is NOT sufficient to prove a sequence is a G.P. by

showing that the first few terms of the sequence form an G.P as we must
check that the relationship holds for all terms in the sequence.

Example 7
n
2
The sum of the first n terms of a sequence is 1    . Obtain an expression
3
for the nth term of the sequence. Prove that the sequence is a geometric
progression.

Solution
Recall: un  Sn  Sn1 for any sequence.
n
2
Given S n  1    , then S n 1 
3
Recall: un  Sn  Sn1
for any sequence.

To prove that the sequence is a geometric progression:

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Drill & Practice 5: Proving/checking whether a sequence is a Learning points 

G.P.

General term un un G.P.?

u n 1
1. 12
n 2 Yes
un    3
23
2. u n  3n 2  n  4

3. un  3(2)1 n

4. un  3  4n

2.4 The Sum to Infinity of a Geometric Series

What is a sum to infinity?

A sum to infinity usually denoted as S  is the sum of all the terms of an
infinite sequence u1 , u2 , u3 ,... In this case, the sequence has an infinite number
of terms. Hence we can write S   u1  u2  u3  .....

We assume that a geometric series has an infinite number of terms.

Does the sum to infinity of a geometric series exist?

Recall from Chapter 2 that to find out if the sum to infinity exists, we need to
find the sum of the first n terms first.

Let us consider the infinite geometric series with a  1 and r  2 , we have

1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + ….
(1)[2n  1] n
The sum of the first n terms is S n  = 2 1
2 1
n
As n increases, 2 increases exponentially. We write “As n   , 2n   ”.
So the series will not have a finite sum (i.e. Sn   as n   ).
We say that the series does not converge.

1
Now, consider another infinite geometric series, this time with a  1 and r 
2
1 1 1
, we have 1     ....
2 4 8
n
1
(1)[1    ]
 2   1 n 
S
The sum of the first n terms is n  = 1    
2
1
1   2  
2

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n
 1 1 Learning points 
As n   ,    n 0 ,  Sn  2 .
 2 2
So we say that the series converges and has a finite sum 2, and we write S  2
(or S = 2).

In general, for a geometric series with first term a and common ratio r,
a(1  r n )
Sn 
1 r
a
When r  1 , r n  0 as n   ,  S  ,
1 r
where S (or S) denotes the sum to infinity of the geometric series.

Note:
The geometric series is convergent if r  1 . Then we say that the sum to
infinity exists and is given by
a
S  .
1 r

 x , x0
Recall: x  
 x , x  0

Drill & Practice 6: Sum to Infinity of Geometric Series

General sum First term Common Does it

of GP a ratio r converge?
What is
S , if
any?
1. 3  6  12  24  a=3 r = –2 No, since
2  1

2. 3  32  34  38 

3. 3  32  34  83 

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Example 8
Learning points 
3
In a geometric progression, the first term is 12 and the 4th term is  . Find the
2
sum, S n , of the first n terms of the progression. Find the sum to infinity, S, of the
progression and the least value of n for which the magnitude of the difference
between S n and S is less than 0.001.

Solution
3
Given a geometric progression with first term, a = 12, u4  
2


To find Sum to infinity, S :

To find sum to infinity:

The points will eventually

fall within the “window”.

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3 A.P. and G.P. in  notation Learning points 

Recall that in Chapter 2, we learnt to evaluate the summation of a given general
term. We may be able to use the formulae for the sum of A.P. and G.P. to do
this.

For example,

10
10
(i)   2r  1  3  5  7  9  ...  21  2  3  21  120
r 1
(using formula for the sum of A.P.)

  1 14 
1 1    
 3  3 14
14
 1  1 1 1   1 
(ii)   r 1   1   2  ...  13 
r 1  3  3 3 3 1
 1    
2   3  
1
3
(using formula for sum of G.P.)

Recognising sum of A.P. & G.P. in  notation:

Given that p and q are constant terms,

n
(i)  ( p  qr )
r m
is the sum of an A.P. where n > m and p, q are constants.
n 50
E.g.  (2r  1),  (2  5r )
r 1 r 5

n
r
(ii) (p )
r m
is the sum of a G.P. where n > m and p is a constant.

2n r
n 20 20 n
1 2r
E.g.  2r ,
r 1
   ,
r 5  3 
 5 ,
r 2
 2  r ,  3r 1
r 2 r 1

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Example 9
n
Learning points 
(a) Find   r  n  1 in terms of n.
r 1
n
(b) Find   2r  1  2 
r 0
2r
in terms of n.
n
n
(c) Given that  r 2  6 (n  1)(2n  1) , show that
r 1
n
1
  r 1 r  4  3 n  n 1 n  7  .
r 1

Solution
n n n
(a)   r  n  1   r    n  1
r 1 r 1 r 1

 
1  2  3  ...  n   n 1  n  Note:
   
sum of A.P. of n terms, sum of a constant, i.e. n1
n
n  n  1
with first term 1,
using r 
r 1 2
common difference 1 formula in Chapter 2
n  n  1
  n  n  1 which is also the sum
2
of A.P. formula
3
 n  n  1
2

Alternatively,
n n

  r  n  1    (n  1)  r 
r 1 r 1

 (n  2)  (n  3)  (n  4)    (2n  1)
n
 (n  2)  (2n  1) (using the sum of AP formula)
2
3
 n  n  1
2

n
(b)   2r  1  2  
r 0
2r

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n
Learning points 
(c)   r  1 r  4  
r 1

4 Miscellaneous Examples

Example 10 [AJC/2008 Prelim/P2/Q2] (both AP & GP)

The seventh, third and first term of an arithmetic progression with non-zero
common difference are the first three terms of a geometric progression
respectively. Show that the geometric series is convergent.

The seventh term of the arithmetic progression is 3. Find the smallest value of
n such that the sum of the first n terms in the arithmetic progression exceeds the
sum of the first n terms in the geometric progression by at least 100.

Solution
Let the A.P. have first term a and common difference d.
Let the G.P. have first term b and common ratio r.
Either Or

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Learning points 

Using GC,
n9 3    1 n 
n   n   6 1      100
28 8    2  
22 -2.88
23 6.13
24 15.5

When n  22 ,
n  23 ,
Least n =

GC keystrokes and output

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Example 11 (Real-life Application)

Learning points 
(Adapted from “A Comprehensive Guide for ‘A’ Level H2 Mathematics”)
Jack starts working in a company with an annual salary of $16 000 in the first
year. He will receive an annual salary increase of 4% each year. Assuming that
he works in the company till his retirement, find to the nearest integer,
(i) the amount he will earn in his 25th year,
(ii) the total amount he will earn over the 25 year period,
(iii) the minimum number of years he has to work for his total earnings to
exceed $1 000 000.

Solution

nth year Salary in nth year

1 Lecturer to
2 highlight to
3 students how to set
… up the table
n

(i) Amount he will earn in his 25th year

(ii) Total amount earned over 25 year period

(iii) Let n be the minimum number of years he has to work.

 minimum number of years he has to work = 32 years

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Example 12 (Investment Problem)

A man deposits $200 at the beginning of every year into a bank account at a Learning points 
compound interest of 5 % per annum. Find how much he has in his account at
the end of the 10th year to the nearest dollar.

Solution
nth Amount in account at the Amount in account at the end of nth
Year beginning of nth year year
1


10

Amount in account at the end of 10th year

 200(1.05)10  200(1.05)9  200(1.05)8  ...  200(1.05) 2  200(1.05)


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5 Self-Reading Example Learning points 

Example 13 [N2004/P2/Q2] (Population Growth)
At the end of 1995 the population of Urbis was 46 650 and by the end of 2000 it
had risen to 54 200. On the assumption that the populations at the end of each
year form a geometric progression, find
(i) the population at the end of 2006,
(ii) the year in which the population reaches 100 000

Solution
(i) Let the first term of the geometric progression be a = 46 650 and the
Note:
common ratio be r.
There are 6 terms
ar 5  54 200 from 1995 to 2000.
54 200
r5 
46 650
r  1.0305
 1.03

The population at the end of 2006

11
 ar 11  46 650 1.0305 
 64 889.7  64 900 (3 s.f.)

(ii) Let ar n 1  100 000 Alternative Method

n 1 Let ar n 1  100 000
 46 650 1.0305   100 000
n 1
Using GC,  46 650 1.0305   100 000
n1 n 1
n  46 650 1.0305 1.0305  2.1436
26 98867 (n  1) lg 1.0305   lg(2.1436)
27 101882
n  26.4
28 104990
least n  27
Therefore least n  27

Hence, the year in which the population reaches 100 000 is

1995 + (27 – 1)(1) = 2021.

GC keystrokes and output

Chapter 3: Arithmetic and Geometric Progression Page 19

 SAJC 2020 JC1 H2 Mathematics

Example 14 [ACJC/2008/Prelim/P1/Q4] Learning points 

An ant of negligible size walks a distance of 10 units from the origin in the x-y
plane along the x-axis. It then turns left and goes up 5 units from its current
point. If the ant continues turning left and going half the distance it had
previously walked, repeating the pattern, find the coordinates of the point
where the ant will eventually end up.

Solution
2 4 y
5 1 5 1 5
x : 10,  ,   ,    ,
2 2 2 2 2
3 5
15 1 5 1 5
y : 5,    ,   ,    , 
22 2 2 2 2

1
x: GP with a  10 and r  
4
1
y: GP with a  5 and r  
4
10 5
x : S   8, y : S  4
1 1
1 1
4 4 x
the ant will eventually end up at  8, 4  . 0

An Alternative Perspective for Arithmetic Series

The following two blocks have heights of 1 unit and length of a units and d units
respectively.

1 1

a d
The following shows a pictorial representation of an Arithmetic Progression.

u1  a
u2  a  d
u3  a  2 d
.
.
.
.
un  a  ( n  1) d

The sum of the Arithmetic Progression, i.e. u1  u2  u3   un is equal to the

total area of the diagram.

Thinking Time: How then can we find the total area of the diagram?

Chapter 3: Arithmetic and Geometric Progression Page 20

 SAJC 2020 JC1 H2 Mathematics

A simpler way to find the area is this – have 2 copies of the same diagram, rotate
the second one so that the diagonal edges fit like a puzzle!
Learning points 

This gives a rectangle with height n and breadth 2a + (n–1)d.

2a + (n–1)d

n(2a  (n  1)d )
Therefore, the area of the original diagram is or equivalently,
2
n
(2a  ( n  1) d ) .
2

Checklist of Concepts – Arithmetic and Geometric Progression

I can identify a given A.P. or G.P.

I know the formula for the nth term and the sum of a finite arithmetic series

I know the formula for the nth term and the sum of a finite geometric series

I am able to show that a given sequence is an A.P. or a G.P.

I can solve problems involving both an A.P. and a G.P. (for e.g. the 1st, 3rd, 5th of AP are the
first three consecutive terms of a GP).

I know the condition for convergence of an infinite geometric series and how to find the sum
to infinity if it exist

I am able to solve practical problems involving AP and/or GP such as problems on investment

and population growth.

Chapter 3: Arithmetic and Geometric Progression Page 21